Page 33 of Rules

"Nothing. I just want to know if the reason he won't go out with me is because he's seeing someone." I tuck in a spray of baby's breath, focusing intently on the flowers rather than Mary's scrutiny.

"And what if you don't get the information from Holly? What if she doesn't come and get the flowers? What if the sheriff takes them?" Mary places her hands on her hips in a defiant stance.

Looking Mary right in the eyes, I tell her, "If he comes and takes the flowers, then I'm going to ask him, face to face. Fire the question at point-blank range."

"Ok, I have to admit I'm hoping he is the one who comes to get the flowers." She grins mischievously.

"Well, we'll find out tomorrow. Now, it's time to close for the night. Want to grab some food? My treat."

Mary smiled, "My mother taught me to never refuse a free meal. I'll get the lights."

Putting the flower arrangement in the cooler, I couldn't help but wonder what I would say if I ran into Tobias while on the delivery. I want information, but do I want to see him while trying to get it?

Much to Joey's protests, we're up and at the shop early. I want to make the delivery to the station as soon as the front door opens, that means seven thirty. Stopping at the counter, I grab a thank-you card and fill it out with the message the sheriff dictated.

Thank you for everything you do for us. You're the best! – The officers

"Joey, are you going with me or staying here?" I called the snoring Chihuahua in the back room. He didn't come running out, just continued snoring.

"Go ahead, we got him." Mary and my aunt startled me when they spoke. The two were standing side by side with large coffees, a bag from the bakery, and shit-eating grins.

"What are you two doing here?" I hefted the flower arrangement, so it was sitting on my hip.

My aunt's eyebrow raised. "We can't just show up with coffee for our favorite flower shop owner?"

I stood in place, looking at the two of them.

"Fine, we want the scoop on what happens." She admitted.

Mary added, "And we're willing to bribe it out of you with coffee and donuts."

Shaking my head and scoffing a laugh, "Fine, I'll be back."

Pulling up and parking outside the sheriff's station, I lifted the flowers out of the van. Thank goodness it's not a windy day. I despise delivering in the wind. Walking up to the door of the station, I struggle to open it while balancing the enormous arrangement.

A man in a suit comes from inside and holds the door.

"Here, let me get that for you." He looks like a lawyer here to see a client.

"Thank you. It's a little hard to maneuver doors while carrying these." I smile as I slide past him.

"Hi Ruth, you’re out early this morning." Carol, the receptionist at the front desk, greets me. "Those are stunning. Who's the lucky one today?"

"How are you, Carol? These are for Holly. I was curious if I could take them back to her? Keep the surprise."

"Oh sure. Let me just see if she's in her office." Carol presses something on her phone and touches her earpiece.

"Holly, Carol. I have a special delivery I'm sending back to you. Yep, bye." She looks back at me. "Go ahead, Ruth, you know how to get to her office, right?"

"I do, thank you."

Carol buzzes me in and the door opens automatically. Walking down the white sterile hallway my shoes click with each step. I go past the first hallway, turning left at the second. Holly's office is the second door on the right. Tobias's office is the first one on the right, and his door is closed. I feel a small twinge of disappointment. Focus, we have information to get.

I knock as I walk through Holly's open door.

"Hello Holly, these are for you." I set the arrangement down on the small round wooden table in the middle of her office.

"Good Lord!" Holly's eyes widened. "Ruth, that's gorgeous! You really have talent. Oh, look at all the sunflowers and smell those lilies. My favorites!"

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